It’s FITNESS FRIDAY and if you’re stuck in a fitness rut, we know just the way to climb out! Try indoor rock climbing! Being bold on the boulders not only challenges your body, it can also calm stress and amp up your brain.

Last Wednesday, Luna Bar continued it’s #LUNAChiReveal with their Salted Caramel Protein Bar, Brooklyn Boulders and a host of talented and strong Chicago women to give us a chance to try indoor rock climbing. Brooklyn Boulders Chicago is one of facilities in the U.S. Not only can visitors try traditional bouldering, auto belay or rope climbing, but they can also sample fitness classes like Acro-Yoga, weight training or bring a laptop and get some work done in between climbing in the relaxing upstairs meeting space.

Bouldering is a form of rock climbing sans a harness or ropes. Ob-v, Brooklyn Boulders loves safety so there’s a crash mat waiting for you in case you can’t find your way down. There are various routes, called problems in the rock climbing world, with easy level climbing and ultra hard climbing. First, BKB staff had us practice falling. We call it the upside bug technique. Basically, the goal is to land face up with the impact on your cushiony butt and your extremeties curled in like a insect that’s been flicked over. Next, we scurried our way up the simpler routes. Monica is a natural as she made her way to the top and back no problem (or maybe she’s part squirrel).

Auto Belay Certification

The auto belay, an automatic rope connected to a harness that supports the climber, is a daunting yet thrilling. BKB instructors demo-ed the proper way to connect the auto belay to the harness as well as how to descend (although none of us Luna participates did it quite as gracefully). Once connected, you freely ascend up the problem of your choice and when you feel you can’t move up any longer, you let go. The auto belay catches and lowers you safely. Once certified by staff, visitors of BKB are allowed to move about different courses with auto belays.

Dream Space

We named this ourselves but Luna put together some inspirational crafting, delish new Salted Caramel Protein Bar samplin’, and blogger minglin’ in the upstairs work space. Postcards with antique style ink stamps were set up in a cute mailboxes and we were encouraged to write encouraging words to our selves! There was also a colorful chalkboard set up to channel your motivational side by writing when you feel the most strong.

We highly recommend rising (ahaaa) to the challenge of indoor climbing. BKB staff are friendly, professional an truly made us feel safe as first timers. Step up to Brooklyn Boulders with a Salted Caramel Protein bar to replenish yourself after a grueling but rewarding advance! Has anyone else been to Brooklyn Boulders? What do you think!?